Money

The currency is the Euro. Banks are open from 8:30 through to 15:00 Monday to Friday except holidays

Drawing cash from cash machines is as easy as any other method and not too expensive provided you draw the maximum each time to benefit the one-off charge. However, not all ATMs make a charge, and those that do vary between what card is used. Ask your card issuer for details of their overseas charges and check that your card will work in Portuguese ATMs.

If it is a switch card, check it has 'cirrus' on the back, and 'cirrus' on the ATM then you will be fine (all the machines in Carvoeiro take cirrus cards). Most ATMs limit withdrawals to 200 euros per day per person, so it is a good idea to use a card each if with a partner. One more thing, don't leave yourself short of cash and expect to get some out on a Sunday evening or Bank Holiday - always keep some in reserve over the weekend!

ATMs are plentiful and can be found almost anywhere in the village including some super markets.

Location of some ATMs in the village:
1. Intermarche
2. Banco Mello as you come into Carvoeiro on the left.
3. Caixa Geral de Depositos, on the right after the sports shop in the town.
4. Caixa Agricola going out of Carvoeiro on the left.
5. Credito Predial Portuguese going up the hill where most of the restaurants are on the right.

3, 4, and 5 are usually only possible by foot as there are rarely any spaces to park.

Cash euros are OK if you have a safe to leave them in when out and about. You don't want to be carrying around huge wads of notes everywhere you go.

For a lot of purchases you can use your credit card . . . the beauty of this method is your get a good exchange rate and you don't have to pay for up to six weeks!

For the sake of history we'll leave the old Escudos further below [1 Euro = 200.482 Portuguese Escudos].